HOUSE REPUBLICANS are barreling ahead to advance President Trump's agenda, with hearings taking place at all hours of the night as Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) seeks to unite a divided caucus ahead of a crucial vote.
Republicans have bounced back this week, days after a big setback.
The House Budget Committee advanced Trump's "big, beautiful bill" in an unusual late-night vote Sunday, in which the GOP fiscal hawks that sank the same bill last week agreed to vote "present" in order to keep things moving.
"We're almost there, and I'm very optimistic that we will find the right equilibrium point to get this bill delivered," Johnson said Monday.
Still, conservative hard-liners aren't ready to vote for final passage, even as GOP leaders say they'll bring the bill to the floor this week.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who was among the conservatives to vote against advancing the legislation over spending and deficit concerns, said he and others voted present "out of respect for the Republican conference and the president." However, the bill "does not yet meet the moment," Roy said.
Now, the bill heads to the House Rules Committee for what Johnson described as a "clean-up amendment" to address last-minute changes. The Rules Committee hearing will take place at 1 a.m. Wednesday.
House GOP leaders are talking bullish, even though divisions remain. There's not currently a deal in place to address GOP disagreements over the deficit, state and local tax (SALT) deductions or Medicaid work requirements.
"None of that has been ultimately and finally decided because, as everyone knows around here, we have to build consensus around all those ideas," Johnson said.
Even so, GOP Whip Tom Emmer (Minn.) says he'll begin whipping the package as soon as the final language is out. He insists the House will pass the bill this week ahead of Johnson's self-imposed Memorial Day deadline.
Trump and the White House have begun flexing their muscle on Capitol Hill to secure passage of the bill.
The president will attend a House Republican conference meeting at the Capitol on Tuesday.
"It's essential that every Republican in the House and Senate unites behind President Trump and passes this popular and essential legislative package," press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday.
If the House passes the bill, it still faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where Republicans are talking about dicing it up.
In tomorrow's edition of The Movement newsletter, The Hill's Emily Brooks will take a deep dive into the division between the right-wing activist base and Republicans in Congress when it comes to passing this package. Click here to sign up & get it in your inbox.
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